A candle has been lit for him at the cathedral's ancient altar of St Wilfrid ahead of a service of evening prayer at 6pm.

A spokesman for the Cathedral, in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds, said: “The Dean of Ripon and the whole cathedral community are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of Mr Barry Dodd, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire.

“Our thoughts and sympathy are with his wife, Frances, and we pray for her as we also pray for the repose of his soul.

“Barry Dodd was a popular and effective Lord Lieutenant of the county, uniting people to work together for the common good, and he was a supportive friend of the cathedral. He will be missed greatly.

“We also pray for Mr Peter Scrope, the Vice Lieutenant, and all the deputy lieutenants as they respond to this tragedy.”